Bryanna Hanson in classroom
Blog
Uncovering the True Purpose of Assessment
In a learner-centered classroom, assessment is not done to but rather with the learner. Assessment becomes less about determining what a student doesn’t know or can’t do, but instead the emphasis shifts to providing opportunities for students to show what they do know and can do.
Catalyst newsletter
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Catalyst Newsletter
Catalyst Newsletter from Devin Vodicka- Learner-centered insights and resources for educators, leadership teams, and change-makers.
What's Possible
Blog
What’s Possible in Learner-Centered Education
As the world continues to evolve and change in dynamic ways, there is an increasingly urgent call to create schools that meet the needs of learners in our world today to equip them with the academic and social skills that are critical for success in work, life, and citizenship.
group-of-students-in-a-classroom
Blog
When Learning Is Authentic
Authentic learning experiences can feel at odds with school systems and structures, but they don’t have to. Katie Martin shares how schools are pushing the boundaries to successfully orient toward relevant, meaningful, real-world learning experiences.
mother-and-child-exploring-nature-together
Blog
Why Curiosity is Foundational to Learning
If we want our children to develop new skills, knowledge, and mindsets, it is foundational to spark curiosity. Otherwise, even through our best efforts to teach them, they may not actually learn.
simon-sinek-quote
Blog
What Does Your Ideal Learning Environment Look Like?
Leaders commonly use strategic plans or vision statements that describe the desire to develop life-long learners, global citizens, critical thinkers, and the like, yet a misalignment often occurs between the vision, policies, and practices. The tension between what we say we want our students to know and be able to do and what we…
father-and-son-working-on-homework-together
Blog
There has never been a better time for OER
Shifting to learner-centered experiences for all students is going to require many shifts, including the ways in which we think about outcomes and assessments, and providing flexible and open learning resources will be an important part of the change journey.
teacher-and-a-group-of-young-students-smiling
Blog
To Engage Students, Focus on Connection Over Content
It’s important to understand how student’s emotions impact their attention, engagement, and what they learn. Scheduling time with each student to connect, learn more about their circumstances, their goals, and ideas, created a different dynamic that built empathy and allowed for more personalization and meaningful connection. Students also recommend, reaching out via text, calling…
learner-centered-antiracism-graphic
Blog
The connection between anti-racism and learner-centered education
A learner-centered paradigm, which begins with a respect for the jagged intersectionality of our unique identities, is required if we are to achieve our aspirations of reducing systemic inequalities in education and beyond. Explore how learner-centered education empowers learners to develop their unique identity through exercising agency in pursuit of real-world problem-solving.
superintendent-with-a-student-looking-at-ipad
Blog
How Learner Agency Impacts a Learning Ecosystem
School systems are interconnected communities of learners, and shifting to learner-centered models is a complex and humbling journey. In schools that are designed for standardization, tensions can arise very quickly when you begin to promote agency and innovation.
high-school-students-doing-a-painting-project
Blog
Leading the Way to Authentic Learning
When students are engaged in solving real-world problems they are engaged in authentic learning. Gain strategies and examples for leading the way to authentic, learner-centered experiences.